A penis on a desert island...

Now I know that I go on, and on, about desert islands, and I know that I’ve written about this before, but it’s always worth a mention if only as an excuse to get to post this picture of Brigitte Bardot on location somewhere.

Today Desert Island Discs celebrated its 70th anniversary. Imagine that - a radio programme that was first broadcast 70 years ago is still going strong.

It was first broadcast on 29 January 1942, a few years after the outbreak of the Second World War and, as we are always reminded in the intro to the programme, was conceived and originally presented by Roy Plomley. The first guest was Vic Oliver, a fascinating Jewish comedian and entertainer from Austria who married Churchill’s daughter Sarah, much to her father’s consternation. He was on Hitler’s ‘Death List’, but not because of his bad jokes – he was actually pretty funny. I’ll blog him one day I guess.

Each week Roy asked a guest to choose eight songs, a book and luxury item for their imaginary stay on the island and discussed their lives and beliefs in the gaps between the music. At first it was scripted and the book and luxury element didn't actually come until later. Over the years 183 pianos, five trombones, the Albert Memorial and a cheeseburger machine have been taken as luxury items to the island. Morrisey considered choosing sleeping pills (Just in case he wanted to top himself. Well, what difference does it make?) but had to choose a bed instead, Ollie Reed chose a blow up doll and Brigitte Bardot chose happiness – which caused old Roy a few seconds of concern as it sounded like she was asking for "a penis".

I’ve listened for years; to Roy and Parkie, So Lonely and Kirstie. Hundreds of guests from the despicable Paul McCartney (who didn’t really chose all his own songs), the wonderful Bettie Driver, suicidal Morrisey, strange Anthony Burgess, brutally honest Kathy Burke, sad Hattie Jacques, sadder Kenneth Williams, but not the even sadder Tony Hancock – as I was only a few months old when he wandered onto his own particular desert island.

If you don’t listen to it then you should start.

‘A penis’ – I missed that one.

Well, that's that. I'll have my cup of tea and a biscuit now.